City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM MARCH 26, 2019 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Quicker presiding. On roll call: all members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Flynn reported on one burial at the Cemetery, equipment maintenance, snow and ice removal from streets and sidewalks, trimming and pruning trees, maintaining street lighting, filling potholes, hauling brush and compost, Water Department is reading meters, Sewer Department is maintaining lift stations and the Sewer Plant, Jeremy Boon has gotten his Advanced Wastewater license from the DNR, opening storm drains and street sweeping main highways and downtown area. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that Water Bills Nos. 63 to 93 in the amount of $24,514.97 and Sewer Bills Nos. 45 to 59 in the amount of $17,398.78 be paid. All Aye. Motion Glassbrenner, second Clough, to adjourn. All Aye. _____________________________________ Jerry L. Quicker, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM MARCH 26, 2019 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Glassbrenner presiding. On roll call: all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Mayor Glassbrenner reported on the March 14, 2019 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding: 1) payment of bills, 2) discussion on roof leak repair and service door replacement and 3) reviewed and accepted the 2018 financial statements. Council Member Quicker reported on the March 19, 2019 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) librarians’ reports, 2) discussion on and approval of the WVLS annual report, 3) discussion on and approval for Head Librarian Cara Hart to submit an ARSL scholarship application and 4) discussion and on upcoming events and children’s story hour. Council Member Neville reported on the March 20, 2019 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) financial report, 2) updates on the Miss Neillsville activities, 3) discussion on beer and food vendors and 4) discussion on possible new events. Council Member Quicker reported on the March 26, 2019 meeting of the Commission Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) payment of bills. Mayor Glassbrenner declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Glassbrenner swore in Benjamin S. Hintze as a Neillsville Police Officer. Sharon Bjerke, 412 Clay Street, thanked the Council Members, Police Department and Public Works crew for all they do for the City. The two open lots on the sides of the Clark County Press building (former theater and tavern properties) could be made into a mini downtown park with trees and bushes, benches and lighting. While traveling she saw this similar set up and it would help beautify the area. Jerilyn St. Amand, Sunset Place, stated that she agreed with Bjerke both in thanking the people and green space idea. Joy Palmer, CliftonLarsonAllen, presented the City, Water, Sewer, TIF District #2, TIF District #3, Special Revenue Funds and other Governmental Funds 2018 Annual Audit Reports regarding: 1) the auditor’s report and opinion of the financial statements are reported fairly, 2) the City has $2.9 million in General Fund, with $1.9 million Unassigned Fund Balance, which is very good financial condition and very stable, 3) both Water and Sewer Utilities show a positive change in net position and Rate of Return (Water $(16,001) - 0.82% and Sewer $145,687 – 3.99%)- Water shows a decrease from 2017 and Sewer shows an increase, however they are very close-over sight is needed to make sure the fluctuations are monitored and utility rates are updated and sufficient to cover increasing expenses and revenue changes-the PSC recommends an 8% Rate of Return, 4) TIF Districts #2 and #3 were reviewed-TIF Districts are large upfront investments ($2.1 million and $1.8 million respectively) recovered in future tax increments from the individual TIF Districts. The Council needs to be aware that TIF #2 has a deficit of $526,144 with 14 years remaining, the district was extended by the granting of distressed status in February 2016 by the State of Wisconsin, with a dissolution date of 2032. TIF #2 should pay off early. TIF #3 has 8 years of remaining life with a deficit of $694,961 and may not break even unless more development occurs, 5) risk disclosure on the City’s cash and investments were reviewed at year end and everything is FDIC insured or collateralized-a good job was done securing the funds, 6) reviewed the City’s long term debt-City statutory limit is $6.5 million with current borrowing of $2.1 million-with $4.4 million available, the City is in good financial shape, 7) GASB 68 and 71 statements regarding the City’s share of the Wisconsin Retirement Pension Plan, 8) the General Fund Budget Comparison was reviewed, 9) reviewed and compiled Schedule Reports of debt revenue, non-lapsing funds, insurance, water and sewer rate of return-regulatory basis, 10) reviewed the City’s internal control structure-lack of separation of duties, preparation of financial statements and audit adjustments and 11) in conclusion the records are in very good working order, the staff was open and cooperative, the City had an overall good year, with good financial planning in place. Motion Quicker, second Neville, to accept and file the 2018 annual audit report as presented. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented a report on the City’s continuing appropriation accounts and their respective balances as of December 31, 2018. The following is a list of said accounts: Account No. 52100 Police Department Administration (K-9 Fund and Police Training), Account No. 53450 Parking Lots and Meters, Account No. 55110 Library (City and Foundation), Account No. 55250 Parks and Recreation-Room Tax 30%, Account No. 55240 Celebrations, Account No. 55360 Christmas Decorations, Account No. 56300 Urban Development, Account No. 56700 Economic Development Administration, Account No. 56750 Tourism Promotion-Room Tax 70%, Account No. 57140 Public Buildings, Account No. 57220 Public Safety-Fire Department Vehicles, Account No. 57320 Machinery and Equipment, Account No. 57330 Street Construction, Account No. 57332 Bridges and Culverts, Account No. 57350 Airport and Account No. 57620 Parks. Motion Counsell, second Clough, to carry forward to 2019 the continuing appropriations as presented. All Aye. Mayor Glassbrenner read Julie Counsell resignation as lodging facility member of the Tourism Commission and thanked her for her service on the Commission. Motion Quicker, second Neville, to accept the resignation of Julie Counsell as lodging facility member of the Tourism Commission and to thank her for her services to the City of Neillsville. Council Member Counsell abstained. All other members-Aye. Motion carried. Mayor Glassbrenner recommended James Voss as the lodging facility member of the Tourism Commission. Motion Clough, second Quicker to accept the recommendation to appoint James Voss (2019) as the lodging facility member of the Tourism Commission. All Aye. Interim Chief of Police Patrick Fehlman presented quotes for a new City Hall Police Garage door from: Mound View Garage Doors, LLC – 1 for $1,490 with a spring cycle of 10,000 and 1 for $1,890 with a spring cycle of 25,000 and Sav-Rite Building Center – 1 for $1,468 and 1 for $1,715. Fehlman stated the higher price ones are comparable with upgraded tracks, springs, longer service life and better insulation. Discussion on service and warranty. Motion Counsell, second Weiers, to accept the Sav-Rite quote of $1,715 for a new City Hall Police Garage door. Council Member Quicker abstained. All other members-Aye. Motion carried. Interim Chief of Police Fehlman stated that after discussion with Director of Public Works Flynn he is lifting the winter parking ban due to spring break up, but if we have a heavy snow please be courteous and park off the street. Council Member Clough stated that a public presentation on the Rails to Trails project will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at the Clark County Courthouse auditorium (bottom floor) at 6:30 P.M. Mayor Glassbrenner reported on attending a United Communities of Clark County meeting in Curtiss on March 25, 2019 regarding a presentation by Clark County Emergency Management Director John Ross and a discussion on water breaks. City Clerk Roehl presented an invite to the Clark County Community Foundation, Inc. annual meeting and banquet April 4, 2019 at the Loyal American Legion Hall and notification from Charter Communications that Spectrum Mid-America, LLC holds the state issued authority to operate the community cable system. Spectrum Mid-America, LLC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Charter Communication. Director of Public Works Flynn reported that the FEMA Grant paperwork is in and approved for the floodplain houses removal project. Council Member Neville asked permission to put up a fence. Flynn replied he is waiting for the FEMA check to arrive before he starts asking for permission for park type items. Motion Neville, second Quicker, that City Bills Nos. 271 to 320 in the amount of $595,401.44 be paid. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported that the Assessor will be at City Hall for Open Book on Monday, April 29, 2019 from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. and the Board of Review will be here Monday, May 20, 2019 from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Mayor Glassbrenner stated that David Flynn will be honored for his military service on April 1, 2019 at 4:30 P.M. at the American Legion Hall. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________ Charles W. Glassbrenner, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************